The Personal Shopper Experience with Whole Foods Market

For the past two weeks, my husband has been out of town for work. Solo parenting… the struggle is real. Almost every single night my sweet children would look up at me, right around 5:00, and ask ‘What’s for dinner?’

Dinner? You expect to be fed? That’s odd…

A quick glance in the fridge and I confirm what I already knew– nothing even in the neighborhood of healthy for my growing children. With resignation and defeat, I open the freezer to reveal the dreaded monster sized bag of frozen chicken, shaped like Mickey Mouse (thanks for that purchase, dear husband. While I moaned at their over-processed existence initially, they saved me at meal time more than once.).

Mornings weren’t any better. My typical stash of homemade frozen mini muffins had been depleted in week one, and we were out of milk for a bowl of granola. Oatmeal is usually fool proof but my cherubs, fruit of my loins, have decided to exercise their right to ‘variety in diet’. Fine. Put your shoes on, we’re grabbing some bagels on the way to school. Wait. SCHOOL. That kid will need a lunch. Bagels for breakfast and lunch it is!

Between driving my son to and from school, meetings, writing, more meetings, doctors appointments and school commitments, I barely have time to shower when my husband is out of town. I was practically giddy at the idea of using the personal shopper from Whole Foods Market, America’s Healthiest Grocery Store, here in Jacksonville.

Did you know that this service existed? If so, shame on you for not sharing. I am here to shout from the mountain top, Whole Foods Market has a personal shopper! Meaning, THEY DO IT FOR YOU.

Hello, America's Healthiest Grocery Store! Thanks for shopping for me!
Hello, America’s Healthiest Grocery Store! Thanks for shopping for me!

First, I emailed Tonya at our local Whole Foods expressing an interest in using her personal shopping services. She responded the same day, eager to help and with a few questions about any dietary restrictions. I was already familiar with their 365 product line, and was glad to know that all the products that Whole Foods carries is held to the highest standards. In fact, they have a whole list online of what ingredients they do NOT allow in ANY of the products they carry. I knew I would be getting healthy, organic and nutritious items.

The day that I emailed Tonya happened to be a ‘jam packed full of obligations’ sort of day. It was Friday, the day my husband was heading back home, and I had to clean the house as if we hadn’t been living in our own filth the entire time he was away. It wasn’t until after the children were nestled all snug in their bed, exhausted after the excitement of greeting daddy, that I remembered I hadn’t sent my shopping list in. Before heading to bed, I sent the following email:

Sorry for the delay in my email! 
 
Here is my list for you to work with. I’d like to try and keep a budget of $100 
 
– ingredients for a roasted chicken dinner with roasted fingerling potatoes 
– ingredients for meatballs with spaghetti sauce (pre made sauce is fine)
– lettuce for salads
– red bell pepper (2)
– kid portioned size yogurt 
– gallon whole milk
– pint 1/2 & 1/2
– 1 lb apples
– red seedless grapes
– bananas 
– mangos 
– bars (like nutrigrain but whole foods brand?) 
– kids snack crakcers (like goldfish?)
 
Let me know if this list is ok or if you need me to elaborate. I’m so excited to see what you come up with! 
The next morning, right around 10:00, I received an email that my order was ready and asking when I could pick it up to ensure the produce would be of optimal freshness. Over to San Jose Boulevard I drove, and to the customer service desk I went. And just like that, my shopping was done! I was in and out of the store in five minute, heading back home to my family.
The adorable reusable bags! Which were packed and waiting for me!
The adorable reusable bags! Which were packed and waiting for me!
Once home, as I unpacked my bags, I was pleased with all the items my personal shopper had selected. I typically would have given a more detailed shopping list, but was exhausted when I emailed her. Plus, I knew that anything from the store would meet my expectations in regards to ingredients. It’s comforting to know that I can email her a vague list and still end up with the exact items I would have included on my own detailed list. You know you need a personal shopper when the simple act of sending an email is exhausting! Luckily, Whole Foods Market personal shopper did not disappoint.

Mamas, this is a game changer. The personal shopper experience with Whole Foods Market is free, and is as simple as sending an email. And do you want to know a little secret? The Whole Foods Market in Jacksonville will soon offer ONLINE ORDERING. But, until then, sign on to your email and type out your grocery list. The personal shopper at Whole Foods Market has got your back on the days you’re looking at another frozen Mickey head.

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To change your grocery shopping game, email Tony Mixon at [email protected] or call 904-288-1136
*Service is free for a limited time
*Curbside checkout available with photo ID
Personal Shopping is available WednesdaySunday and Order Pick-up is available 7 days a week from 8am-9pm

Thank you Whole Foods Jacksonville for sponsoring this post. All opinions are my own!

Bryna
Bryna is a stay at home mom who recently moved to Riverside in Jacksonville, Florida after living in Japan for six years. From figuring out how to make a foreign country 'home' to figuring out how the heck her six year old son can get pee BEHIND the toilet, Bryna approaches life with humor and open-mindedness. A huge advocate for Waldorf education and an overall gentle approach to parenting, Bryna enjoys exploring the world with her two children through eyes of wonder and excitement. She loves to write and writes about what she loves; family, traditions, food, wine, and how to find happy in everything.

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